He's here! :)
Monday evening at around 9:45, I realized that I was leaking amniotic fluid and it was time to go to the hospital! We called Grammy and Grampy to let them know so Grampy and Uncle Will could come and stay with the kids. Grammy came to the hospital to watch baby Coen be born.
We were in a rush because even though contractions hadn't started yet, Cole was born so fast we were thinking Coen's labor could progress quickly as well.
So obviously by my smile, you can tell things weren't quite as fast this time...
We got all checked in to the hospital by about midnight and I was still having medium contractions, but they weren't picking up as fast as I expected. By around 1am the doctor came and checked me and broke my water since it was still just leaking up to then and of course I anxiously expected labor to pick up fast....
but it didn't really. I did squats, did yoga, listened to my hypnobirthing mp3, and waiting for things to get going. By about 2am I was feeling frustrated at the wait :) and we decided to dim the lights for a bit and rest. I laid down for about 10 minutes before deciding that laying down was a waste of time...meanwhile my birthing party was all resting with their eyes closed in the room. I walked back and forth some more in the room and things finally started to get more intense. At about 3am I realized the contractions were suddenly really strong so we called the nurse and I climbed up on the hospital bed, I was 9-10cm, hurray- or more like ouch-
So the doctor arrived and everyone pretty much waited on my body to get ready for him to deliver...which felt like eternity. I told everyone I was done with labor...how much longer could it possibly take...the doctor said it could be an hour or 5 hours...not encouraging...I asked for an epidural at one point even though I knew it was way too late...finally Cole started to make his way into the world...about 7 more contractions and a few pushes later and he was out in what I'm fairy certain was the longest hour I will ever live! Yay natural childbirth ;)
But in the end everything worked out great, and he came with quite the demonstration of his lung capacity upon arrival.
Coen David Bartley
4:00 am January 7th, 2014
8lbs - 20.25 inches
Daddy on duty the next morning
Hello world
Caden getting his first glimpse
About to come home
Grammy- who has been a super helper all week long keeping the brothers in line, doing drop offs, school lunches, homework, meals, grocery trips, baths, etc. I am sooo very thankful she could come stay with us. (as are the boys who have been to the movies, the aquarium, the park, Chick fil a, and the rock store!)
Caleb, who is the most smitten with Coen, getting in a hold.
He could not be more excited to have a new baby brother here.
Checking him out
Cole is excited too...
Coen, you may know, was a dream and a wish for what seemed like an uncertain outcome. Convincing your husband to have a fourth child with 3 rambunctious little ones is not an easy sell.
Convincing yourself it was a good idea once you are pregnant, exhausted and caring for said little ones is also challenging. I had so many fears and concerns about him getting here safe and sound, but in the end what an incredible blessing to our lives.
We will forever and ever be thankful to have this little one with us.
Welcome to the world, Baby Coen, we are so so glad you are here!!!!
